Diamond Cuts

Heart Cut Shape

The modified brilliant-cut heart shaped diamond is a unique and unmistakable symbol
of love. Heart shaped diamonds are very popular in solitaire pendants as well as
rings. When choosing a heart, symmetry is a very important characteristic, since
it is critical that the two halves of the heart are identical. The cleft (between
the two lobes) should be sharp and distinct, and the wings (the sides as they curve
down to the point) should have a very slightly rounded shape.

Heart shaped diamonds of less than .50 carats may not be a good choice, as the heart
shape is more difficult to perceive in smaller diamonds, especially after they are
set in prongs. For smaller hearts, a bezel or three prong setting (one prong on
each lobe, one prong at the point) will better preserve the heart shape outline
of the diamond after it is set.

Heart Shaped Diamond LW Ratios.

Heart shaped diamonds come in a variety of silhouettes, from narrow to fat. The
choice of a particular silhouette should be dictated by personal preference, though
the length to width ratio of a classic heart shaped diamond is approximately 1.00.
For hearts that are to be set in pendants, buyers may prefer a slightly narrow cut
(1.05 - 1.15), while for hearts set in a solitaire ring, a slightly wide cut (.85
- 1.00) may be most appealing. Every Bhajan Jewel includes precise measurements,
as well as the length to width ratio, so you know the exact shape of the heart shape
diamond you are considering.

The chart below serves as a general guideline for evaluating the cut of a heart
shaped diamond.

HEART SHAPED DIAMOND - CUT GUIDE

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

GOOD

FAIR

POOR

Table %

53 - 63

52

or

64 - 65

51

or

66 - 68

50

or

69 - 70

< 50

or

> 70

Depth %

58 - 62

56 - 57.9

or

62.1 - 66

53 - 55.9

or

66.1 - 71

50 - 52.9

or

71.1 - 74

< 50

or

> 74

Girdle

Very Thin - Slightly Thick

Very Thin

to

Thick

Very Thin

to

Very Thick

Ex. Thin

to

Ex. Thick

Culet

None

Very Small

Small

Medium

> Medium

L/W Ratio

.95 - 1.02

.89 - .94

or

1.03 - 1.05

.83 - .87

or

1.06 - 1.10

.80 - .83

or

1.11 - 1.15

> .80

or

< 1.15

Evaluating color in heart shaped diamonds is subjective. Keep in mind that many
buyers may actually prefer the ever so slightly warmer colors of a G-H diamond over
the cool colorlessness of a D-F diamond. In fact, most of the premium in price associated
with heart shaped diamonds at the higher end of the color scale is driven by supply
and demand; customers want the D-F color grades, and are willing to pay a premium
to get them. In a world without diamond color grading, the price premium for higher
grades would be much lower, as the actual differences in color are difficult to
perceive.

The color chart below provides a general guide for evaluating color in heart shaped
diamonds.

HEART SHAPED DIAMOND - COLOR GUIDE

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

GOOD

FAIR

POOR

< .50 ct.

D - G

H - I

J - K

L - M

> M

.51-1.0 ct.

D - F

G

H - I

J - K

> K

1.0-2.0 ct.

D - F

G - H

I - J

> J

> 2.0 ct.

D - F

G

H - I

> I

Fluoro

None

Faint - Med

Strong

Very Strong

Like color, evaluating clarity in heart shaped diamonds is subjective. GIA provides
excellent help with their clarity grades. Still, it is important to understand that
each customer will have a unique standard for clarity. Some may be perfectly comfortable
with an inclusion as long as they cannot easily see it. Others may insist on a more
technically flawless appearance. The clarity chart below provides a general guide
for evaluating clarity in heart shaped diamonds.